Gaming console wireless protocol for peripheral devices

ABSTRACT

Methods of wireless communication between a gaming console and a wireless accessory using a protocol. The protocol is used in a TDMA frequency hopping spread spectrum system to enable simultaneous communication of voice and data between a plurality of wireless accessories and the gaming console. The protocol provides specific time slots for upstream and downstream transmissions, as well as a retransmission time slots to enable a robust environment with minimal latency.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to the field of gaming and multimediadevices. In particular, the present invention is directed to a wirelessprotocol used to communicate data and voice information between a gamingdevice and wireless peripheral accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In gaming systems there is a strong demand for wireless controllers inorder to eliminate the cabling found strung across so many living roomfloors. Existing wireless controllers are expensive and do not alwaysprovide a robust connection to the gaming device because ofinterference. Latency is another critical concern to gamers, as it isdesirable that the wireless controller respond like a wired controller.In addition, there may be features in future gaming consoles that thewireless link must support. Developing a wireless game controller thatmeets these constraints would be greatly benefited by a protocol thatenables multiple wireless devices to simultaneously communicate with thegaming device, while also providing for error correction and detectionwith minimal latency. The protocol should also be able to support newdevices and functionalities as they become available.

Thus, there is a need for a system that overcomes these and otherlimitations in the prior art. There is also a need for the system to becost efficient and effective. The present invention provides such asolution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods for communicating voice anddata between a gaming console and a wireless accessory using a wirelessprotocol where the host and the wireless accessory transmit and receivebased on a time frame. The method includes transmitting an upstream datapacket in an upstream sub frame from the wireless accessory to the host;transmitting at least one of a downstream voice packet and a downstreamdata packet in a downlink sub frame from the host to the wirelessaccessory; and transmitting an uplink retransmission packet and adownlink retransmission packet during a retransmission sub frame. Thevoice data and wireless accessory data are simultaneously communicatedvia the wireless protocol.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, upstream data packetincludes a first upstream data sub packet and a first upstream voice subpacket. The method further includes assigning the first upstream datasub packet and the first upstream voice sub packet a first time slot,and assigning a subsequent upstream data packet that comprises asubsequent data sub packet and a subsequent upstream voice sub packet toa subsequent time slot. A first wireless accessory may transmit wirelessaccessory data in the first upstream data sub packet, and secondvoice-enabled device may transmit voice data the first upstream voicesub packet.

In accordance with another feature, the upstream and downstream voiceand data packets each comprise an RF setup field, a preamble field, async field, a header field, a data field, and an error correction field.The voice data may be communicated in the downstream voice packet to aplurality of voice-enabled devices. In addition, a plurality ofdownstream voice packets may be communicated in the downlink sub frame.

In accordance with yet another feature, the gaming console may broadcastthe downstream data packet to a plurality of wireless accessories. Thedownstream data packet may include predetermined data sub fieldscontaining data for each of the plurality of wireless accessories. Themethod may also include transmitting the uplink retransmission packetfrom the wireless accessory only if an acknowledgement is not receivedfrom the gaming console in the downlink sub frame. Likewise, thedownlink retransmission packet may be rebroadcast to a plurality ofwireless accessories.

In accordance with another feature, each packet may be transmittedwithin the wireless protocol in a frequency hopping spread spectrumsystem on a different frequency associated with a Time Division MultipleAccess (TDMA) time slot.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be madeapparent from the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating theinvention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary constructions of theinvention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methodsand instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a gaming console in which aspects ofthe present invention may be implemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates the console of FIG. 1 and radio sub-systems;

FIG. 3 illustrates an overall framework of a protocol in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a frame structure of the protocol of FIG. 3 in thetime domain;

FIG. 5 illustrates a format for data and voice packets;

FIG. 6 illustrate an upstream data packet;

FIG. 7 illustrates a downlink data packet;

FIG. 8 illustrates a downlink voice packet; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an uplink retransmission packet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates the functional components of a multimedia console 100in which certain aspects of the present invention may be implemented.The multimedia console 100 has a central processing unit (CPU) 101having a level 1 cache 102, a level 2 cache 104, and a flash ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 106. The level 1 cache 102 and a level 2 cache 104temporarily store data and hence reduce the number of memory accesscycles, thereby improving processing speed and throughput. The CPU 101may be provided having more than one core, and thus, additional level 1and level 2 caches 102 and 104. The flash ROM 106 may store executablecode that is loaded during an initial phase of a boot process when themultimedia console 100 is powered ON.

A graphics processing unit (GPU) 108 and a video encoder/video codec(coder/decoder) 114 form a video processing pipeline for high speed andhigh resolution graphics processing. Data is carried from the graphicsprocessing unit 108 to the video encoder/video codec 114 via a bus. Thevideo processing pipeline outputs data to an A/V (audio/video) port 140for transmission to a television or other display. A memory controller110 is connected to the GPU 108 to facilitates processor access tovarious types of memory 112, such as, but not limited to, a RAM (RandomAccess Memory).

The multimedia console 100 includes an I/O controller 120, a systemmanagement controller 122, an audio processing unit 123, a networkinterface controller 124, a first USB host controller 126, a second USBcontroller 128 and a front panel I/O subassembly 130 that are preferablyimplemented on a module 118. The USB controllers 126 and 128 serve ashosts for peripheral controllers 142(1)-142(2), a wireless adapter 148,and an external memory device 146 (e.g., flash memory, external CD/DVDROM drive, removable media, etc.). The network interface 124 and/orwireless adapter 148 provide access to a network (e.g., the Internet,home network, etc.) and may be any of a wide variety of various wired orwireless adapter components including an Ethernet card, a modem, aBluetooth module, a cable modem, and the like.

System memory 143 is provided to store application data that is loadedduring the boot process. A media drive 144 is provided and may comprisea DVD/CD drive, hard drive, or other removable media drive, etc. Themedia drive 144 may be internal or external to the multimedia console100. Application data may be accessed via the media drive 144 forexecution, playback, etc. by the multimedia console 100. The media drive144 is connected to the I/O controller 120 via a bus, such as a SerialATA bus or other high speed connection (e.g., IEEE 1394).

The system management controller 122 provides a variety of servicefunctions related to assuring availability of the multimedia console100. The audio processing unit 123 and an audio codec 132 form acorresponding audio processing pipeline with high fidelity and stereoprocessing. Audio data is carried between the audio processing unit 123and the audio codec 132 via a communication link. The audio processingpipeline outputs data to the A/V port 140 for reproduction by anexternal audio player or device having audio capabilities.

The front panel I/O subassembly 130 supports the functionality of thepower button 150 and the eject button 152, as well as any LEDs (lightemitting diodes) or other indicators exposed on the outer surface of themultimedia console 100. A system power supply module 136 provides powerto the components of the multimedia console 100. A fan 138 cools thecircuitry within the multimedia console 100.

The CPU 101, GPU 108, memory controller 110, and various othercomponents within the multimedia console 100 are interconnected via oneor more buses, including serial and parallel buses, a memory bus, aperipheral bus, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can include aPeripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus, PCI-Express bus, etc.

When the multimedia console 100 is powered ON, application data may beloaded from the system memory 143 into memory 112 and/or caches 102, 104and executed on the CPU 101. The application may present a graphicaluser interface that provides a consistent user experience whennavigating to different media types available on the multimedia console100. In operation, applications and/or other media contained within themedia drive 144 may be launched or played from the media drive 144 toprovide additional functionalities to the multimedia console 100.

The multimedia console 100 may be operated as a standalone system bysimply connecting the system to a television or other display. In thisstandalone mode, the multimedia console 100 allows one or more users tointeract with the system, watch movies, or listen to music. However,with the integration of broadband connectivity made available throughthe network interface 124 or the wireless adapter 148, the multimediaconsole 100 may further be operated as a participant in a larger networkcommunity.

When the multimedia console 100 is powered ON, a set amount of hardwareresources are reserved for system use by the multimedia consoleoperating system. These resources may include a reservation of memory(e.g., 16 MB), CPU and GPU cycles (e.g., 5%), networking bandwidth(e.g., 8 kbs), etc. Because these resources are reserved at system boottime, the reserved resources do not exist from the application's view.

In particular, the memory reservation preferably is large enough tocontain the launch kernel, concurrent system applications and drivers.The CPU reservation is preferably constant such that if the reserved CPUusage is not used by the system applications, an idle thread willconsume any unused cycles.

With regard to the GPU reservation, lightweight messages generated bythe system applications (e.g., popups) are displayed by using a GPUinterrupt to schedule code to render popup into an overlay. The amountof memory required for an overlay depends on the overlay area size andthe overlay preferably scales with screen resolution. Where a full userinterface is used by the concurrent system application, it is preferableto use a resolution independent of application resolution. A scaler maybe used to set this resolution such that the need to change frequencyand cause a TV resynch is eliminated.

After the multimedia console 100 boots and system resources arereserved, concurrent system applications execute to provide systemfunctionalities. The system functionalities are encapsulated in a set ofsystem applications that execute within the reserved system resourcesdescribed above. The operating system kernel identifies threads that aresystem application threads versus gaming application threads. The systemapplications are preferably scheduled to run on the CPU 101 atpredetermined times and intervals in order to provide a consistentsystem resource view to the application. The scheduling is to minimizecache disruption for the gaming application running on the console.

When a concurrent system application requires audio, audio processing isscheduled asynchronously to the gaming application due to timesensitivity. A multimedia console application manager (described below)controls the gaming application audio level (e.g., mute, attenuate) whensystem applications are active.

Input devices (e.g., controllers 142(1) and 142(2)) are shared by gamingapplications and system applications. The input devices are not reservedresources, but are to be switched between system applications and thegaming application such that each will have a focus of the device. Theapplication manager preferably controls the switching of input stream,without knowledge the gaming application's knowledge and a drivermaintains state information regarding focus switches.

Referring to FIG. 2, the console 100 may be configured having twodifferent radio subsystems. The first wireless system is an 802.11b/gstandard compliant module (WiFi) within the network interface 124, whichis used for wireless home network connectivity via an access point 156.This can be used in place of a standard Ethernet connection to addwireless networking ability to access the Internet or remote PC's. Thesecond is a frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), low transmit powersystem within the wireless adapter 148 operating within theIndustrial-Scientific-Medical (ISM) 2.4 GHz band. The wireless adapter148 provides wireless connectivity of various peripherals and devices(e.g., a wireless accessory 154) which can be used to operate the games.

Exemplary Embodiments of a Wireless Protocol

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown the protocol framework of thepresent invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an overall framework of theprotocol. The protocol 200 is a TDMA system through which the host(e.g., console 100) and device (e.g., accessory 154) switch betweentransmitting and receiving based on a fixed time interval shown asT_(frame). As will be described below, the protocol 200 enables up toeight accessories (four data and four voice) to simultaneouslycommunicate to the console 100. In addition, the protocol 200 providesfor a mix of error correction and the use of frequency hoppingtechniques to provide for robust communication with minimal latency. Theprotocol 200 is divided into three sub frames, upstream data packets202-208, downstream data packets 210-214 and retransmission packets216-218. Each will be described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated the frame structure of theprotocol 200 in the main. Inside each frame, there are 9 slots where thefrequency allocation for each slot is shown in Table 1, below. In thetable, n represents the entry for the current frame in the FHSSsequence, and F(n) is the channel that is mapped to this entry n andtherefore the channel selected for this frame. The F(n+1)+20 representsa channel that is 20 channels away from channel F(n+1). TABLE 1 Slot #Slot Description Channel 0 Accessory 1 data and voice 1 Tx F(n + 1) 1Accessory 2 data and voice 2 Tx F(n + 1) 2 Accessory 3 data and voice 3Tx F(n + 2) 3 Accessory 4 data and voice 4 Tx F(n + 2) 4 Voice 1 and 2downstream F(n + 1) 5 Broadcast F(n + 1) 6 Voice 3 and 4 downstreamF(n + 2) 7 Controller retransmission F(n) 8 Broadcast RetransmissionF(n + 1) + 20

As will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, eachaccessory and/or voice-enabled device receives and transmits packets ina similar fashion, however at its appropriate time slot in accordancewith the TDMA structure of the protocol 200. As such, the followingdescription will be made with reference to accessory 1, but it appliesto each of accessories 2-4, as shown in FIG. 4. At time slot F(n+1),accessory 1 may transmit data and voice sub packets 222 and 224.Optionally, accessory 1 may transmit data in a data sub packet, and aseparate voice-enabled device may transmit voice in a voice sub packetduring the time slot. Accessory 1 (or voice-enabled device) will receivea voice data packet 226 at time slot F(n+1).

The console 100 will broadcast a data packet 228 to all devices at timeslot F(n+1). The data packet will be rebroadcast as data packet 232 attime slot F(n+1)+20. At time slot F(n), accessory 1 may rebroadcast itsdata sub packet as data sub packet 230. This preferably done only ifdata sub packet 222 is not acknowledged by the console 100 in the databroadcast packet 228.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated the basic packet format inaccordance with the present invention for both data packets 222 andvoice packets 224. An optional RF Setup field 234 enables thehost/device transceiver to switch from one mode (transmit/receive) tothe other (receive/transmit) or change the transceiver frequency forfrequency hopping. A preamble field 236 and synchronization field 238are used by the receiver within the accessory for clock and packetsynchronization of the radio link. For example, 32-bit prolongedpreamble transmissions may be used in combination with a preambleswitched antenna instant receiver selection diversity algorithmimplemented at the receiving end. This algorithm implies that thereceiver during the first part of the preamble makes a first linkquality estimate using one antenna, and during a second part makes asecond estimate using the other antenna, and then, for the rest of thepacket, selects the antenna which gave the highest quality estimate.

A sync field 238 is used by the receiving device to synchronize with thetransmitting frequency and phase. A header field 240 contains theinformation needed for data payload field that follows the header. Thedata payload field 242 contains the information that is to betransmitted over the wireless interface. The length of this field isdetermined by type of the packet. The data packet is either errordetectable or correctable based on the packet type using an errorcorrection field 244. For example, a cyclic redundancy code (CRC) may beused for detecting the packet error for voice packets, whereas forwarderror correction (FEC) is used for the data transmissions. Reed-Solomonforward error correction algorithm may be used here. The Reed-Solomonencoder takes the original data and adds extra “redundant” bits. Errorsoccur during the wireless transmission. The Reed-Solomon decoderprocesses the received data and attempts to correct errors and recoverthe original data. The number and type of errors that can be correcteddepends on the characteristics of the Reed-Solomon code.

As noted above, the wireless system uses frequency hopping spreadspectrum. A Pseudo-Random hopping sequence may be used for the system.The sequence generation may be based on a Maximum-Length Linear FeedbackShift Registers (ML-LFSR) method. Two channel allocation schemes may beused in the wireless protocol 200. The first scheme is a frame basedallocation and the second scheme is a slot based channel allocation. Forthe frame based channel allocation, the 7 LSb out of the 19 bits of theM-sequence are used for selecting the RF channel for each frame. First,the system calculates the remainder of the 7LSb/41, and the reminder isthen used as the channel number for the frame. For example, if the 7 LSBof a hop entry is 1011001, the table entry for the RF channel for thisentry is:

-   -   1011001 MOD (41)=89 MOD 41=7

Thus, Channel 7 is selected.

To fully compliant with FCC requirement, each channel has to be equallyaccessed. This means that if the 7LSb of the hopping entry is greaterthan 122, this entry will be skipped and next entry will be used. Forthe slot based channel selection, after the channel for each frame isselected, inside each frame, there are 9 slots. The frequency allocationfor each slot then made in accordance with Table 1, above.

Upstream Sub Frame 200A

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the upstream data packets are the datapackets sent by the accessories and devices 154 to console 100, andinclude the accessory data packets 202, 204, 206 and 208. The protocol200 supports up to 4 upstream data packets. Each data packet is sent atthe predefined time slot (FIG. 4) and contains both the device-specificdata as well as the voice data.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated the upstream data packet 204(also 202, 206 and 208) in greater detail. As illustrated, there are twosub packets inside each packet, one from data (246-258) and the otherfor voice (260-272). These correspond to, e.g., data sub packet 222 andvoice sub packet 224 in FIG. 4. Up to 4 upstream data packets aresupported for up to 4 accessories and voice devices for a total of 8devices.

Each upstream data sub packet (246-258) contains three fields: a header252, data body 254, and an FEC field 256. The header field 252 containsthe information about the accessory data field, dynamic power managementand quality of service (QoS). The data field 254 format may be specifiedin a packet type field in the header 252 and may be that of FIG. 5. Theupstream data field contains the data for the accessory 154 and aPlug-in Module (PMD) (i.e., a plug-in that may be connected to theaccessory 154 to enhance its features). The FEC field 256 may containReed-Solomon parity bytes. The parity bytes cover both the header anddata fields of the upstream game controller sub packet.

The upstream voice sub packet (260-272) contains three fields: a headerfield 266, a voice data field 268 and a CRC field 270. The header field266 indicates the types and properties of the voice data packet. Thevoice data field 268 contains encoded voice data and link control dataand may be structured as shown in FIG. 5. The CRC field 270 covers boththe voice header field and the voice data field.

Downstream Sub Frame 200B

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7-8, the downstream sub frame includes threepackets: a voice downstream packet 210, a downlink data packet 212 and avoice downstream packet 214. Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustratedthe downlink data packet 212. This packet 212 contains system controlinformation and is broadcasted to all the attached devices andaccessories. A header field 280 of this packet 212 contains the systemcontrol information to be broadcasted A data field 282 contains controlinformation for each device being addressed in the data packet 212.Thus, if four accessories are to be address, the data field 282 would bedivided into four sub fields, each containing data for each device. Thecontrol information may contain details about flashing of LEDs on theaccessory 154, motor control, feedback control, etc. The broadcastpacket is protected by an FEC field 284 and is repeated automatically inevery frame. A sliding field 286 may be added at end of the downstreambroadcast. It is preferable that the bits pattern have a minimumcorrelation with the preamble field and a pattern 0xC3C3 may be usedhere. The accessory receiver checks the sliding field 286 in everybroadcast packet received and tests for a packet sliding situation. Ifthe accessory receiver detects sliding, it will set a bit in QoS andreport it to host. Once sliding is detected, the detection party needsto stay on the current FHSS entry for the next frame to avoid thesynchronization.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated an exemplary format of thedownlink voice packets 210 and 214. These two packets 210 and 214 carrythe downstream voice data for the four voice-enabled devices. Thedownlink voice packet 210 contains the voice samples for device 1 and 2.The downlink voice packet 214 contains the samples for device 3 and 4.As shown in FIG. 8, there are two voice downstream data fields 292 and296 separated by guard fields 294 and 298. The structure of each of thedata fields 292 and 296 is detailed in FIG. 5.

Retransmission Sub Frame 200C

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is illustrated the uplinkretransmission packet 216. This packet only re-transmits the accessorydata, and only if an ACK bit in the broadcast packet 212 is not set fora particular accessory. This helps achieve a robust environment whilereducing the power consumption of the accessory. If the above conditionexists, the accessory will re-send its data and PMD data in theretransmission packet 216. The upstream voice data is not retransmittedin this packet. Since there is no ACK bit set in the broadcastretransmission packet, the same accessory packet will be re-transmittedagain in the next frame if there is no new data available. If newaccessory data is available, the accessory will send the new data packetinstead.

The broadcast retransmission packet 218 is the repetition of thebroadcast packet 212. It transmits the same information as in broadcastpacket, but on a different carrier frequency (see, FIG. 4). In thebroadcast retransmission packet, a retransmit bit in the header is setto 1 to indicate this is a broadcast retransmission packet. The ACK bitin the broadcast retransmission packet is NOT set or cleared based onthe reception of the upstream re-transmission packet. The console 100preferably always transmits the broadcast retransmission packet. This isto improve the broadcast packet immunity to interference since thecontrol data in the broadcast packet is critical for the wirelessinterface data exchange. However, an accessory may choose not to receivethe retransmission packet based on the successfully reception of thefirst broadcast packet. This will help reduce the total powerconsumption for the accessory.

In addition to the above, the protocol of the present invention providesfor a flexible environment where devices known and unknown may beenabled to communicate via the wireless link.

While the present invention has been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments of the various Figs., it is to be understood thatother similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions maybe made to the described embodiment for performing the same function ofthe present invention without deviating therefrom.

1. A method of communicating between a gaming console and a wirelessaccessory using a wireless protocol wherein said host and said wirelessaccessory transmit and receive based on a time frame, said methodcomprising: transmitting an upstream data packet in an upstream subframe from said wireless accessory to said host; transmitting at leastone of a downstream voice packet and a downstream data packet in adownlink sub frame from said host to said wireless accessory; andretransmitting an uplink retransmission packet and a downlinkretransmission packet during a retransmission sub frame, wherein voicedata and wireless accessory data are simultaneously communicated viasaid wireless protocol.
 2. The method of claim 1, said upstream datapacket comprising a first upstream data sub packet and a first upstreamvoice sub packet, said method further comprising: assigning said firstupstream data sub packet and said first upstream voice sub packet afirst time slot; and assigning a subsequent upstream data packet thatcomprises a subsequent data sub packet and a subsequent upstream voicesub packet to a subsequent time slot.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: transmitting, from a first wireless accessory, wirelessaccessory data in said first upstream data sub packet; and transmitting,from a second voice-enabled device, voice data said first upstream voicesub packet.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said upstream anddownstream voice and data packets each comprise an RF setup field, apreamble field, a sync field, a header field, a data field, and an errorcorrection field.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingcommunicating said voice data in said downstream voice packet to aplurality of voice-enabled devices.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising communicating a plurality of downstream voice packets in saiddownlink sub frame.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:broadcasting, from said gaming console, said downstream data packet to aplurality of wireless accessories, said downstream data packetcomprising predetermined data sub fields containing data for each ofsaid plurality of wireless accessories.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising: transmitting said uplink retransmission packet fromsaid wireless accessory only if an acknowledgement is not received fromsaid gaming console in said downlink sub frame.
 9. The method of claim1, further comprising rebroadcasting said downlink retransmission packetto a plurality of wireless accessories.
 10. The method of claim 1,further comprising: transmitting each packet within said wirelessprotocol in a frequency hopping spread spectrum system on a differentfrequency associated with a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) timeslot.
 11. A method of communicating information between a wirelessaccessory to a gaming console using a wireless protocol, comprising:transmitting, from said wireless accessory, an upstream data packet in afirst time slot; receiving, at said wireless accessory, a downstreamdata packet from said gaming console at a second time slot; andtransmitting, from said wireless accessory, said upstream data packet ina third time slot if an acknowledgement is not received in saiddownstream data packet.
 12. The method of claim 11, said upstream datapacket comprising a first upstream data sub packet and a first upstreamvoice sub packet further, said method further comprising: transmitting,from said wireless accessory, wireless accessory data in said firstupstream data sub packet; and if said wireless accessory isvoice-enabled, transmitting voice data in said first upstream voice subpacket.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said upstream and downstreamvoice and data packets each comprise an RF setup field, a preamblefield, a sync field, a header field, a data field, and an errorcorrection field.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:broadcasting, from said gaming console, said downstream data packet,wherein said downstream data packet comprises predetermined data subfields containing data for said wireless accessory.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: transmitting each packet within saidwireless protocol in a frequency hopping spread spectrum system on adifferent frequency associated with said first, second and third timeslots.
 16. A method of communicating information between a wirelessaccessory to a gaming console using a wireless protocol in a TimeDivision Multiple Access (TDMA) frequency hopping spread spectrumcommunication (FHSS) system, comprising: transmitting, from saidwireless accessory, an upstream data packet in a first time slot using afirst frequency; receiving, at said wireless accessory, a downstreamdata packet from said gaming console at a second time slot in a secondfrequency; and transmitting, from said wireless accessory, said upstreamdata packet in a third time slot using a third frequency if anacknowledgement is not received in said downstream data packet.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, said upstream data packet comprising an upstreamdata sub packet, said method further comprising: transmitting, from saidwireless accessory in said first time slot, wireless accessory data insaid first upstream data sub packet; and if said wireless accessory isvoice-enabled, transmitting voice data in a first upstream voice subpacket in said first time slot.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein saidupstream and downstream voice and data packets each comprise an RF setupfield, a preamble field, a sync field, a header field, a data field, andan error correction field.
 19. The method of claim 16, said downstreamdata packet comprising predetermined data sub fields, one of said datasub fields containing data for said wireless accessory.
 20. The methodof claim 16, said transmitting of said upstream data packet comprisingonly transmitting an upstream data sub packet containing wirelessaccessory data.